Fire extinguisher



Feb. 24, 1931. P. G. MacGRl-:GOR 1,793,860

FIRE EXTINGUISHER Filed July ll, 1928 3 Sh'eets-Sheet l Feb. Z4, 1931. P. G. MQPGREGQR i 1,793,850

FIRE EXTTNGUISHER Filed July ll. 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet Q Feb. 24, 1931.

P. G. MaCGREGoR 1.793,86()

`FIRE EXTINGUISHER Filed July ll, 1928 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I Patented Feb. 24, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT orFlcE PETER GRAHAM HACGREGOB, OF PMANOCK, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOB TO PY'BIIQNE` MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION 0F DELAWARE FIIBE EXTINGUISHEE Application lled July 11, 1988. Serial No. 281,873.

My present invention relates tofire extinguishers of the ressure type and it has for its object to provi c a device of this character wherein a highl compressible s may be supplied in a Huid, or semi-liqui state in a separate cartridge from which it may be released to expel the fire extin ishing liquid when required. To this en the invention also com rehends an improved arrangement of parts or holding the gas cartrid e within the extinguisher and maintaining t e outlet of the latter normally closed together with the necessary operating devices for releasing the contents of the cartridge and ermitting the escape of the extinguishing uid under the effect of the pressure thus created.

A further object of this invention is to provide a fire extinguisher which is strong, durable, light in weight and reliable in operation, thus rendering it particularl adapted for use in connection with airp anes and other similar crafts.

To these and other ends the invention consists in further improvements and arrangements of parts all of which will be more fully described in the following specification and distinctly pointed out in the appended "these brackets is in the 4form o a split ring claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in elevation of an extinguisher embodying one form of my invention showing the devlce mounted in position for use Figure 2 is a vertical central sectional view taken on line 2" x of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a. plan view; Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 4* of Figure 1: Figure 5 is an enlarged vertical central sectional View taken at right angles to the view shown in Figure 2; Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 6*--6 of Figure 5; Figure 7 is a detailed View of a cam actuated plunger and its cartridge-puncturing pin; Figure 8 is a bottom View of the parts shown in Figure 7; Figure 9 is a horizontal sectionalview takenon line 9"9" of Figure 5: Figure 10 is a detail of the locking device ofthe hand wheel; Figures 11 and 12 are vertical central sectional views showing a modified form of cartri'dge-puncturin and valve actuating mechanism in retracte and operated position respectivel Figure 13 is an enlargedA detailed View s owing the form of cartridge-punoturing in and its plunger used in the structure illustrated in Figures 11 and 12; Figure 14 is a bottom view of the devices shown in Figure 13; and Figure 15 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 15"15x of Figure 11.

Similar reference numerals in the several figures indicate similar parts.

One object of my invention is to provide a fire extinguisher that is very compact and may be rigidly secured in position to av su port adjacent the point where it is most liab e to be required in case of fire, as for instance within the fuselage of an airplane, and which may be conveniently charged or refilled without removing it and is capable of substantially instantaneously being put into operation. Consequently, I have shown in the drawings an extinguisher comprising an outer shell 10 serving as the liquid container.

I have shown in the drawings a fire extinguisher comprising an outer shell 10 supported in a vertical position by a pair of rackets 11 and 12, which are secured to a suitable support 13. The u permost of 14, encircling the u per end of the shell to which it is removably clamped by a tensioning lag screw 15 and the lower bracket in cludes a horizontal arm 16, to the outer end `oi which the lower end of the shell is bolted. In arranging this attachment I provide the removable plug 17 at the bottom of the shell 10 with a threaded extension 18 which projects through the bracket and is secured thereto by a nut 19.

The up er end of the shell 10 is closed by a head 20 liaving a relatively large central opening` therein, containing an internally screw-threaded ring 21, :from which depends a cartridge-receiver or cage formed in part by the side arms 22 which carry at their lower ends a guide yoke 23, comprising outwardly extending arms 24, having openings which serve as guides for a pair of valve-actuating rods 25, the purpose of which will hereinafter more clearly appear. The lower end of the yoke 23 is provided with a liquid passage 26 which is cored or otherwise suitably formed therein, for the reception of the upper end of the pick-up tube 26, and the lower end of the discharge tube 27. The pick-up tube eX- tends downwardly in the chamber and at the bottom thereof carries a valve shell 28 provided centrally with a valve seat and havc ing a downwardly depending skirt 29. Co-

- operating with the valve seat is a suitable valve head 30, havingay depending screwthreaded stem attached to the upper end of formed inthe stud 11 and the upper end of which enters the central opening of the valve carrier 31.' This valve carrier 31 is rectangular in cross section, as shown in Figure 9, so as to provide ample space between its sides and the inner` wall of the skirt 29 to permit free passage of the fire extinguishing liquid from the receptacle'lO into the pick-np tube 26 4when the extinguisher is operated. The cross sectional dimensions of the valve carrier 31 are such that its corners slidingly engage the inner wall of the skirt 29 and cooperate therewith to revent lateral displacement of the valve 30 tlilereby insuring its being always maintained in proper alignment with its seat.

Into the upper end ot the 1i uid-receiving passage 26 the discharge tube 2 is fitted and this is connected at its upper end to a tubular fitting 37, carried b and projecting through the head 20, said tting being adapted for the reception-of a discharge pipe 38, by which the liquid from the receptacle 10 may be directed or conveyed to a desired locality heyond the immediate vicinity of, the extinguisher.

25V form in conjunction with the side arms 22 of the yoke a cage adapted for the reception and temporary retention of a sealed cartridge 40, carrying a compressed gas, such as carbon dioxide which is to be released when the extinguisher is put into service to create pressure upon the fire extinguishing liquid and expel'the same by way of the valve seat, pickup tube 26', liquid-receiving passage 26, discharge tube 27, fitting 37 and discharge pipe 38.

According to this invention, the cartridge 40 may be punctured and the valve 30 opened by the cartridge-puncturing and valve actuating mechanism, shown in Figures 1 to 8 or by a modified form of such mechanism such r as is shown in Figures 11 to 15 inclusive.

The actuatingmechanism shown in Figures 1 to 8 inclusive, includes a housing 42, hav- Tlie upper elids ofthe valve operating rods incasso ing its lower end screw-threaded and adapted to enga e the threaded portion of the ring 21. This housing 42 is formed with a cam chamber 43, access to which may be had for assemblying purposes and for fillin the same with a suitable lubricating grease, y removing the screw-threaded plug 44. lVithin the cani chamber 43, is arranged a vertically movable cam actuated plunger 45, the head portion 46 of which engages and lies fiat against the inner face or end of the cam chamber, its stem portion 47 being slidingly mounted in the housing 42. The lower end oi the stem 47 carries a cup-shaped rod depressing member 48, the lower end of which -is provided with an outwardly projecting Hanse 49 adapted to engage the upper ends of the rods 25. Also suitably connected to the stein 47, is a cartridge-puncturing pin or needle 50, the pointed end of which is adapted -to pierce the upper or closed end of the cartridge 40, to release its contents, the end of the pin or needle 50 being provided with scored or flattened areas 52 in order to permit the contents of the cartridge 40 to freely escape.

. -Projecting from the end wall of the cam chamber 43, is astufiing box 54 carrying a gland nut 55 and adapted for the reception of suitable packing. This nut serves as one bearing for a cam shaft 56 and the wall of the cam chamber 43, through which the shaft 56 projects, serves as another bearing for the shaft. On the inner end of the shaft 56 is a cam 57, adapted to cooperate with the headl 46 of the plunger 45 to move it downwardly when the shaft 56 is rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 6, the shaft being limited in its movement in this direction by an abutment 58 secured to the inner wall of the cam chamber 43 and projecting therefrom into the path of travel of a restraining finger or arm 59 carried by and rotatable with the cam 57.

To the outer end of the cam shaft 56, a hand' 'wheel 60 is detachably connected, the hub portionv thereof beingr provided with an openingy conforming to the hexagonal shape of the outer end of the cam shaft to prevent the hand Wheel from turning with respect to the shaft, as will be readily understood. In order to lockthe hand wheel 60 normally against axial displacement with reference to the shaft,ayoke shaped key 6l is provided. the shorter arm 69 of which is located withinza transverse opening 63 formed in the hub portion of the hand wheel and is adapted to enter an annular groove 62 formed in the hexagonal end of the shaft. The other or longer arm 64 of the pin is positioned within a parallel opening 65 formed in the hub of the wheel and is held in retracted position by a compressing spring 68, as shown iii Figure 10. By depressing the locking device against the tensionof the spring 68, its shorter arm 69 is disengaged from the groove 62 thereby permitting the hand wheel 6() to be readily removed from the cam shaft, as may become necessary, when it is desired to unscrew the housing 42 for filling the extinguisher with liquid, or orreplacing the cartridge 40, without removing the extinguisher from its vertically supported position.

In order that the cartridge-puncturing and valve-actuating mechanism may be operated V from a point remote from the extinguisher, as when the extinguisher is used in connection with the air planes or other similar crafts, the hand wheel 60 is equipped with an operating lever 70, to the end of which may be secured a suitable rope or cable 71 extending to within easy reach of the operator.

Referring to Figures 11 to 15 inclusive, wherein is shown a nodiied form of cartridge-puncturing and valve-actuating mechanism which is interchangeable with the corresponding mechanism shown in Figures 1 to 8, the numeral 72 indicates a housing` hav ing its .lower end adapted for screw-threaded engagement with the, internally screwthreaded ring 21. The upper end of the housing 72 is formed with a cam chamber 73, within which is rotatably mounted a cam head 74 having a pair of diametrically spiral grooves or cam slots 75 formed therein, the cam head 74 being provided with a central opening 76. Within the opening 76 is disposed the head 77 of a downwardly projecting cam actuated pin or plunger 78, carryu ing at its lower end the cup-shaped rod deressing member 48, the outwardly projecting flange 49 of which engages the upper ends of the rods 25, as previously described. The necessary cooperation between the pin 78 and the cam head 74 is established by providing thehead 77 of the plunger 78 with a transversely disposed cam pin 78, opposite ends of which operate in the cam slots 75 when the cam head 74 is rotated by its shaft 79 the upper end of which carries a detachably con nected hand wheel 60. ln order to prevent the plunger 78 from turning when the cam head 74 is rotated, the lower end of the plunger is flattened at opposite sides as shown at 81. and is guided in dametrically opposed notches 82, formed in the housing 72 directly above the cup-shaped rod depressing member 48 and adjacent to the opening 8? through which the plunger 7 8 is adapted to operate. The cartridge-puncturing pin or needle 50 which is secured to the plunger 78 may be depressed to cartridge-puncturing position', shown in Figure l2, by rotating the shaft79 in a counter clockwise direction, as viewed trom above in Figure 1l. the cooperation of the pin 78 with thecam slots 75 of the cam head 74 being such that the pin or needle 50 punctures the cartridge 40 and at the same time forces the rod depressing member 48 downwardly, thereby opening the' valve 30 to 10 inclusive, the cam shaft 56 is rotated in a clockwise direction, as Viewed in Figures 2 and 6, with the result that thecam 57 co- Operating with the head 46 of the cam-actuated plunger 45, depresses that plunger and forces the pointed end of the cartridgepuncturing pin or needle through the upper closed end of the cartridge 40, and at the same time moves the cup-shaped rod-depressing member 48 downwardly, thereby opening the valve 80 against the iniiuence of the spring 33. Upon puncturing the cartridge 40, the contents thereof, such as carbon dioxide, escapes, as a gas, and is utilized to build up a pressure in the liquid chamber. The pressure thus rendered available from the cartridge 40, as a source of pressure supply, acts upon the fire extinguishing liquid to force the same up through the pick-up tube 26', `from which 1t passes through the passage 26 to the fitting 37 from which it isdelivered through the discharge pipe 38 to a desired point. By reversing the direction of rotation of the cam shaft 56, the :compression sprin 33 is permitted to move the valve 30 to its c osed position preparatory to substitutin a new cartridge 40 and refilling the L extinguisher with iire extinguishing liquid. In order to introduce a nevi7 cartridge and also permit the extinguisher to be refilled, the housing 42 is removed by unscrewing it and if necessary the hand .wheel 60 `may he removed when the support 13 to which the extinguisher is secured is of such nature as to interfere with rotation of the housin 42. After inserting a new cartridge 40 an refilling the extinguisher with suitable liquid, the housing 42 is applied, care being exercised to maintain the can; 57 1n its retracted position shown in Figure 6 so as to eliminate the possibility of puncturing the cartridge 40 when the housing 42 is screwed down to its seated position, to create "an air-tight joint with the socket 21.

It will be understood that various changes other than those herein shown and described may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

W'hat is claimed is:

1. A fire extinguisher comprising a liquid receptacle, a sealed cartridge containin a compressed gas, a cage adapted to removaly support said cartridge within said liquid re ceptacle including a volte and rods movable longitudinally thereoi, a piclrup tube, a vaive connected to said rods and controlling the esceptacle including a' yoke and rods movable longitudinally thereof, a pick-up tube, av valve connected to said rods and controlling the escape of liquid through said pick-up tube, and a combined cartridge-puncturing and valveactuating means serving to release the contents of said cartridge and to move the rods to open said valve.

3. A fire extinguisher comprising a liquid receptacle, a sealed cartridge containin 1r a compressed gas, a cage adapted to removably support said cartridge Within said liquid receptacle including a yoke and rods movable longitudinally thereof, a pick-up tube, a valve connected to said rods and controlling the escape of liquid through said pick-up tube, and 'a combined cartridge-puncturing and valve-actuatin -means serving to release the contents of sa1d cartridge and to. move the rods to open said valve, said cartridge-puncturing and valve-actuating means including a cam-actuated lunger having associated therewith a cartr1dge-puncturing pin and a rod depressing member.

4. A tire extinguisher comprising a liquid receptacle having an outlet, a valve normally closing the outlet and a sealed chamber containing a compressed gas, a yoke in the form of a socket secured in the Wall of the receptacle removably supporting the gas chamber within the receptacle, rods guided for longitudinal movement in said yoke and control'- ling the outlet valve, a detachable housing secured to said yoke socket and means therein adapted when actuated to release the contents of the gas chamber and move the rods to open the outlet valve.

5, A lire extinguisher comprising a liquid receptacle having an outlet, a valve normally closing the outlet and a sealed chamber containing a compressed gas, a yoke in the form of a socket secured in the wall of the receptacle removably supporting the gas chamber Within the receptacle, rods guided for longitudinal movement in said yoke and controll ling the outlet valve, a detachable housing secured to said yoke socket, a plunger and a cam for operating it arranged in said housing and cooperating with said rods and gas chamber to simultaneously open the latter and the outlet valve.

6. In a lire extinguisher, a liquid receptacle having a li uid-filling opening, a socket located Within said openin and havin a cartridge-receiving passage' t erein, a o e carried by said socket and depending t erefrom within said receptacle, said yoke having a liquid-receiving passage formed therein, a pick-up tube depending from said yoke and communicating with said liquid-receiving passage and with the interior of the receptacle, a discharge tube communicating with said pick-up tube through said liquid-receiving passage to transmit liquid exteriorly of said receptacle, a sealed cartridge located Within said cartridge-receiving passage and supported by said yoke, and cartridge-puncturing means for releasing the contents of said cartridge.

7. `In a fire extinguisher, a liquid receptacle having a liquid-filling opening, a socket'located Within said opening and having a cartridge-receiving passage therein, a oke carried by said socket and depending t erefrom Within said receptacle, said yoke having a liquid-receiving passage formed therein, a pick-up tube depending from said yoke and communicating with said liquid-receiving passage and with the interior of the receptacle, a discharge tube communicating with said pick-up tube through said liquid-receiving passage to transmit liquid exteriorly of said receptacle, 'a sealed cartridge located Within said cartridge-receiving passage and supported by said yoke, cartridge-puncturing means for releasing the contents of said cartridge, a valve associated with said pick-up tube for controlling the escape of liquid therethrough, and valve-actuating mechanism for opening said valve.

8. In a fire extinguisher, a liquid receptacle having a liquid-filling opening, a socket located within said opening and havin a cartridge-receiving passage therein, a yo ecarried by said socket and depending therefrom Within said receptacle, said yoke having a liquid-receiving passage formed therein, a pick-up tube depending from said yoke and communicating with said liquid-receiving passage and with the interior of the receptacle, a discharge tube communicating with said pick-up tube through said liquid-receiving passage to transmit liquid exteriorly of said receptacle, a sealed cartridge located within said cartridge-receiving passage and supported by said yoke, cartridge-puncturing means for releasing the contents of said cartridge, a valve associated with said pickup tube forcontrolling the escape of liquid therethrough, and valve-actuating mechanism for opening said valve, said valve-actuating mechanism including a air of valve-actuating rods slidable throug the bottom of said socket, said rods and `yoke serving collectively as a cage for said container.

9. In a fire extinguisher, a liquid receptacle havin a li uid-lling opening, a socket located wit in sald opening and havin a cartridge-receiving passa e therein, a yo e carried by said socket ang depending therefrom Within said receptacle, said yoke having a liquid-receiving passage formed therein, a pick-up tube depending from said yoke and communicating with said liquid-receiving passage and with the interior of the receptacle, a discharge tube communicating with said pick-up tube through said liquid-receiving passage to transmit liquid exteriorly of said receptacle, a sealed cartridge located within said cartridge-receiving passage and mipported by said yoke, cartridge-puncturing means for releasing the contents of said cartridge, a valve associated with said pickup tube for controlling the escape of liquid therethrough. valve-actuating mechanism for opening said valve, said valve-actuating mechanism including a air of valve-actuating rods slidable throng i the bottom of said socket, said rods and yoke serving collectively as a cage for said container, and guides projecting from said yoke and provided with openings through which said valve-actuating rods are adapted to operate.

10. In a fire extinguisher, a liquid receptacle having a liquid-filling opening, a socket located within said openin a cartridge-receiving passage t erein, a yoke carried yb said socket and depending therefrom wit 'in said receptacle, said yoke having a li uid-receiving passage formed therein, a pic -up tube depending from said yoke and communicating with said liquid-receiving passage and with the interior of the receptacle, a discharge tube communicating with said pick-up tube through said liquidreceiving passage t`o transmit liquid exteriorly of said receptacle, a sealed ca-rtridge located Within said cartridge-receiving passage and supported by saidyoke, cartridgepuncturing means for releasing the contents of said cartridge, a valve associated with said pick-up tube for controlling the escape of liquid therethrough, valve-actuating mechanism for opening said valve, said valve-actuating mechanism including a pair of valve-actuating rods slidable through the bottom of said socket, said rods and yoke serving collectivelyT as a cage for said coutainer, a valve shell located at one end of said pick-up tube and havingl a skirt portion and a valve seat, and a valve carrier located within said skirt portion and carrying said valve, said valve carrier cooperating with said skirt portion to maintain said valve in alignment with said valve seat.

l1. In a fire extinguisher, a liquid receptacle having a liquid-filling opening, a

' socket located Within said opening and having a cartridge-receiving passage therein, a yoke carried by said socket and depending therefrom within said receptacle, said yoke having a liquid-receiving passage formed therein, a pick-up tube depending from said yoke and communicating with said liquidreceiving passage and with the interior of the receptacle, a discharge tube communicatand having ing with said, pick-up tube through said liquid-receiving passage to transmit liquid exteriorly of said receptacle, a sealed cartridge located within said cartridge-receiving passage and supported by said yoke, cartridge-puncturing means for releasing the contents of said cartridge, a valve associated 'with said pick-up tube for controlling the escape of liquid therethrough, valve-actuating mechanism for opening said valve, said valve-actuating mechanism including a pair of valve-actuating rods slidable through the bottom of said socket, said rods and yoke serving collectively as a cage for said container, a valve shell located at one end of said pick-up tube and having a skirt portion anda valve seat, a valve carrier located Within said skirt portion and carrying said valve, said valve carrier cooperating with said skirt portion to maintain said valve in alignment with said valve seat, and a com'- pression' spring associated With said valve carrier for normally maintaining said valve in firm engagement with said seat.

l2. In a ire extinguisher, a liquid receptacle, a sealed cartridge located Within said receptacle and carrying an expansible as, cartridge-puncturing mechanism adapter to release the contents of said cartridge and including a housing, a cam head rotatably mounted within said housing and provided with cam slots, a cam actuated plunger slidable Within said head and disposed co-axially with said cam head, means for retaining said plunger against rotation with respect to said head, a cam pin carried by said plunger and having its ends located within said cam slots whereby rotation of said cam head Will effect reciprocation of said plunger, and a cartridge-puncturing pin carried by said plunger.

13. In a iire extinguisher, a liquid receptacle, a sealed cartridge located Within said receptacle and carrying an expansible gas, cartridge-puncturing mechanism adapted to release the contents of said cartridge and including a housing, a cam head rotatably mounted within said housing and provided with cam slots, a cam-actuated plunger disposed co-axially with said cam Ahead and having one end located Within said cam head, means for holding said plunger .against rotation with respect to said head,` a

cam pin carried by said plunger and having its ends located Within said cam slots rotation of said cam headwill efwhereby fect reciprocation of said plunger, and a cartridge-puncturing pin carried by said plunger and adapted to pierce the wall of said cartridge to release its contents.

14. A fire extinguisher comprising a liquid receptacle having an outlet, a valve normally closing the outlet, a sealed chamber containing a compressed gas, a yoke in the form of a socket secured in the Wall of the receptacle removably supporting the as' chamber within the receptacle, rods ui ed for longitudinal movement in said yo e and control ing the outlet valve, a detachable housing secured to said yoke socket and having a bearing, reciprocatory cartridge-puncturing means located within said housmg, a cam located within said housing and adapted to cooperate with said cartridge-puncturing means, and cam-actuatin means journaled in said bearing and opera lefrom without said liquid rece tacle.

In testimony-whereo I have aixed my signature to this specification.

PETER GRAHAM MACGREGOR. 

